Heavy rain helps fight drought

More wind, rain expected today

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A Nor’easter is blowing through St. Johns County this weekend, and the heavy rainfall is a much-needed relief, officials said.

The county is 4 to 6 inches behind in average rainfall for the year in some areas, said Andrew Shashy, meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Other areas in the county are even drier, he said, but this weekend’s storms will help.

St. Johns County is expected to get 4 to 6 inches of rain in some areas and 8 to 12 inches of rain in others through Monday, Shashy said.

But the weather has slowed traffic at area beaches and the annual Greek Festival.

“The wind has been a challenge,” said Toula Zotos, cochair of the Greek Festival.

Some vendors left the event on Friday because of the gusty and rainy conditions and did not return.

Overall, the rain has not been a major factor since Friday night, said Zotos. And a slow but steady stream of people came to the event to listen to music and eat homemade Greek food as tents flapped in the wind, she added.

The National Weather Service issued several advisories for St. Johns County over the weekend. A wind advisory lasted through Saturday evening, warning of gusts of up to 40 mph at the beaches.

Surf conditions will dangerous for swimmers and surfers through Monday because of powerful rip currents and large breakers, according to the National Weather Service. St. Johns County officials are urging people to stay out of the water until after Monday.

A flood warning is also in effect through Monday.

Flooding could happen in low lying areas, but as of Saturday afternoon, officials at the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, St. Augustine Police Department and the St. Johns County Fire Rescue reported no major flooding. Officials also reported that erosion or power outages were not a problem.

The worst of the rain will come today, said Andrew Shashy, meteorologist with the National Weather Service. And there is potential for more significant flooding.

Today will be the last day of the Greek Festival.

“Don’t be afraid to come — so far we haven’t been rained out,” Zotos said.